Mark Lajean Thomas

Mark Lajéan Thomas was introduced into the world on March 10, 1981, to Mark S. Thomas and Theresa Roberts who soon became Mrs. Thomas in Newark, NJ. He passed away on March 14, 2024 at 3:48am. He was an adorable chocolate bundle of joy with a head full of beautiful hair and always laughing and playful. He was "THE BEST BABY" as our mom would always say, and any family or friends that have been around him as a child, feel the same way. They all would say that they never had any problems with Mark lol, never had to discipline him or anything. Til this very day, I say it's the smile that gets you every time lol! He could light up the entire neighborhood with that smile (And did!).
Mark was a very young athlete, with basketball being his sport of choice, but he was also a track runner, and loved playing football and baseball as well, and was really, really good at all of them and definitely would have went places had he stayed focused and determined. He also had a huge heart and showed everyone nothing but respect and love, and most of all, he always had your back if he knew you, and if he didn't, he would defend you. Our parents raised him to not be a bully, but to be a protector and it started with me, his baby sister (ME)! And he proved it time and time again. He was a bodyguard and he loved showing that side of himself.
Growing up Mark was always indecisive about what he really wanted to do in life. He graduated from NIA in Newark, NJ in 1999. Then he played around for a little while and joined Devry, but that didn't work out. So he tried his luck at Lincoln Tech, which he did like and really enjoyed because of his love for cars. However, that wound up not working out either for him. So he played some more, and then realized from a kid that he loved to eat first of all, and that he was pretty damn good at cooking. However, something came about that he couldn't play with, and that was the birth of his beautiful daughter Tijanae Thomas, whom he loved with everything in him. Now he knew then that there was no more playing. So he tried his chances with The Art Institute, and he took off in his first semester. Always coming home with a new story, a new technique and a new dish, and my mom and I were always ready to be his guinea pigs, because he found his knack! All this time he had took on a trait that our Dad had, and that was cooking delicious food for us every day, which they both did. However, The Art Institute didn't work out either, and that's something that always ate at him. He thought that he would have been much further in life had he had the opportunity to go to school to be a chef. But he didn't let that stop him, although Satan would. Going forward, Mark is wondered what was next for him in the cooking world. Then it clicked, he wanted to get into the food truck business and be his own boss. So he said he would start from home and I told him that I would handle the business side of things, and that's when "K&Em's Kitchen" was born in tribute to both of our grandmothers (Mackie Owens and Katie Daniels) our parents, and all family who had a hand in helping him realize his full potential. His business took off in the first week of October 2021, and I was taken aback, and he saw exactly what he was capable of. He would even wake up to prepare only one meal for someone, just because he loved to feed people and he wanted them to taste greatness!
However, soon after our mom would pass away, and that left a major hole in his soul, and had him in a funk. And a little while after that traumatic tragedy, he kicked right back into gear. But his dream was short lived and ripped away from him by Satan. All he wanted was to get better and come home, but that would never happen. The entire time of him being sick, he never talked about this being his end, he always was positive, cheery and upbeat, and that's what everyone loved about him. He was a "TRUE FIGHTER," with the hands and with his heart, because he fought hard until his last breath. THERE'S NO MORE NEED TO FIGHT BODYGUARD!
Mark is survived by his father Mark S. Thomas, his beloved mother Theresa Weston, and stepmom April Thomas. His daughter Tijanae Maziia London Thomas. His sisters Katrina Monique Thomas, Shajuana Lynette Vaughn, Chiquita Canzater and Shavon Hester. His brothers Thomas Lee Christian, Racism Weston and Shalil Canzater. His uncles Clarence, William Patrick Thomas, Floyd Thomas, Thomas, Patrick Thomas, Frances Thomas, Jaime and Qandell Daniels. His aunts Harriet Thomas, Montre Calhoun-Thomas, Bernadette Spencer, Barbara Sherman, Althea Blackwell, Pamela Thomas, and Laura and Keisha Roberts. And a host of cousins, and circle of close family friends. We'll always cherish his memory and keep his name alive as usual.
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